Synonyms of partisan

partisan 1 of 2

adjective

as in partial

inclined to favor one side over another

a shamelessly partisan reporter covering the primary campaign

Synonyms & Similar Words

• partial
• hostile
• distorted
• biased
• colored
• one-sided
• prejudiced
• interested
• influenced
• parti pris
• concerned
• warped
• inimical
• jaundiced
• shaded
• swayed
• unfriendly
• persuaded
• misrepresented
• unsympathetic
• convinced
• predisposed
• prepossessed
• affected

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• neutral
• nonpartisan
• impartial
• objective
• equal
• equitable
• disinterested
• unbiased
• fair
• open
• unprejudiced
• evenhanded
• reasonable
• receptive
• bipartisan
• honest
• independent
• just
• autonomous
• dispassionate
• impersonal
• cold
• detached
• distant
• open-minded
• aloof
• remote
• unemotional
• indifferent
• persuasible
• apathetic
• uninterested
• unconcerned
• hardheaded
• unenthusiastic
• incurious
• uncurious

partisan

2 of 2

noun

ˈpär-tə-zən 

variants also partizan

1

as in adherent

one who follows the opinions or teachings of another

partisans of the charismatic leader refuse to tolerate any criticism of him at all

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adherent
• follower
• disciple
• supporter
• apostle
• missionary
• acolyte
• pupil
• votary
• devotee
• soldier
• student
• scholar
• admirer
• epigone
• liege man
• fan
• advocate
• loyalist
• votarist
• convert
• sectarian
• faithful
• protégé
• ideologist
• zealot
• champion
• ideologue
• proselytizer
• sycophant
• minion
• cultist
• enthusiast
• satellite
• worshipper
• lackey
• henchman
• idolater
• stooge
• toady
• camp follower
• lickspittle
• yes-man
• apparatchik
• backer
• hanger-on
• flunky
• myrmidon

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• leader
• traitor
• renegade
• turncoat
• defector
• coryphaeus
• apostate

2

as in militant

one who is intensely or excessively devoted to a cause

a partisan of the revolution who was even willing to give her life for it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• militant
• crusader
• activist
• ideologue
• zealot
• fanatic
• supporter
• advocate
• fan
• dreamer
• lover
• true believer
• champion
• promoter
• red hot
• disciple
• idealist
• patron
• visionary
• sucker
• follower
• enthusiast
• apostle
• fool
• maniac
• devotee
• votary
• stalwart
• hound
• buff
• cultist
• nut
• freak
• bug
• junkie
• evangelist
• booster
• hanger-on
• aficionado
• fancier
• fiend
• addict
• backer
• idolizer
• head
• habitué
• faddist
• maven
• rooter
• well-wisher

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dilettante
• dabbler
• nonmilitant

3

as in sectarian

one who stubbornly or intolerantly adheres to his or her own opinions and prejudices

she's too much of a political partisan to ever concede that the other side might have a valid point

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sectarian
• nationalist
• fanatic
• bigot
• dogmatist
• racist
• purist
• dogmatizer
• doctrinaire
• supremacist
• jingoist
• chauvinist
• sexist
• racialist

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberal
• freethinker
• latitudinarian

Synonym Chooser

How is the word partisan different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of partisan are adherent, disciple, and follower. While all these words mean "one who gives full loyalty and support to another," partisan suggests a zealous often prejudiced attachment.

partisans of the President

When could adherent be used to replace partisan?

The synonyms adherent and partisan are sometimes interchangeable, but adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment.

adherents to Marxism

When might disciple be a better fit than partisan?

While the synonyms disciple and partisan are close in meaning, disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master.

disciples of Gandhi

When can follower be used instead of partisan?

Although the words follower and partisan have much in common, follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another.

an evangelist and his followers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of partisan

Adjective

Still, our findings show that support for white nationalism cannot be explained solely by partisan politics. — James Bisbee, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026

Some churches have rightly been accused of being partisan, hypocritical and discriminatory toward women and minorities. — John Blake, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Noun

As a result, partisans of the political left and right routinely use allegations of plagiarism to vilify their ideological adversaries. — Roger J. Kreuz, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026

This is what happens when the federal government becomes the plaything of a petty partisan gone mad. — Max Taves, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026